12.  I    ^f 

LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 

PRINCETON,    N.    J. 


Purchased  by  the 
Mrs.  Robert  Lenox  Kennedy  Church   History   Fund. 


Division..^..^^...^... 

BX  9211  .N49  W42  1906 
Webster,  George  Sidney,  185 

Forty  years  of  Covenant    | 
-Mt   mercies 


CHURCH  OF  THE  COVENANT, 
306-330  East42d  Street. 


/^  ^ 

I  1         "-^'M 

Jf ortp  |9ears  of  Cobenant  Jflercies 

A  Description  of  Historic  Memorials  in  the 

Church  of  the  Covenant, 

New  York  City 

BY 

GEORGE  SIDNEY  VVEBSTER,  D.D.,  Pastor 

AND 

Addresses  Delivered  January  28th,  1906 

BY 

WILLIAM  ROGERS  RICHARDS,  D.D. 

AND 

J.  CLEVELAND  CADY,  LLD. 


Printed  for  Private  Distribution 


NEW  YORK 

MCMVI 


Jforetoorb 


RECIOUS  memories  of  persons  and  events  are 
associated  with  the  Church  of  the  Covenant 
building  and  many  of  its  furnishings.  They 
indicate  something  of  the  evolution  of  a 
Family  Church  among  the  busy  toilers  of  the  East 
Side  in  New  York,  through  the  steps  of  Mission, 
Chapel,  Collegiate  Church,  and  now  Affiliated  Church, 
which  ranks  in  numbers  and  efficiency  with  the  aver- 
age of  the  Presbyterian  churches  in  the  city.  These 
memorials  are  an  eloquent  testimony  to  the  conse- 
crated wisdom  and  loyalty  of  the  faithful  men  and 
women  who  have  tried  to  build  up  a  Church  that  is 
exemplifying  its  motto  inscribed  over  the  pulpit, 
"Come  let  us  join  ourselves  to  the  Lord  in  a  Perpetual 
Covenant." 

George  S.  Webster. 

Church  of  the  Covenant  Study. 
May  I,  1906. 


Cijurcl)  of  tfje  Covenant 

T  a  service  held  in  the  chapel  of  the  Home 
of  the  Friendless,  Twenty-ninth  Street  near 
Madison  Avenue,  on  November  25th.  i860, 
the  Rev.  George  L.  Prentiss,  D.D.,  preached 
a  sermon  in  which  he  said :  "We  inaugurate  to-day  a 
new  Christian  service.  We  do  it  in  the  hope  that  out 
of  this  humble  beginning  may  spring  up  in  due  time 
another  sanctuary  in  honor  of  our  blessed  Master; 
and  that  into  that  new  sanctuary  may  be  gathered  a 
congregation  of  faithful  people,  who  shall  worship  the 
Lord  in  the  beauty  of  holiness."  The  preaching  serv- 
ices continued  for  about  a  year  in  the  Home  of  the 
Friendless,  when  the  place  of  worship  was  changed  to 
Dodworth's  Hall,  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Fifth 
Avenue  and  Twenty-sixth  Street.  Here  on  February 
23d,  1862,  it  was  determined  to  organize  a  church 
under  the  pastoral  care  of  Dr.  Prentiss.  The  church 
was  organized  March  21st,  1862,  with  eighty-three 
members.  Dr.  Prentiss  was  elected  pastor  March 
30th,  1862.  The  name  "Church  of  the  Covenant"  was 
adopted  April  4th,  and  the  pastor  was  installed  May 
nth,  1862.  The  corner  stone  of  the  Church  at  the 
northwest  corner  of  Thirty-fifth  Street  and  Park  Ave- 
nue, was  laid  November  5th,  1863.  The  following 
hymn  was  written  for  this  occasion  by  the  pastor's 
wife,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Prentiss. 


Ctje  Corner=^tone 

"A  temple,  Lord,  we  raise  ; 
Let  all  the  walls  be  praise 

To  Thee  alone. 
Draw  near,  O  Christ,  we  pray, 
To  lead  us  on  our  way. 
And  be  Thou  now  and  aye 

Our  Corner-stone. 

In  humble  faith  arrayed 
We  these  foundations  laid 

In  war's  dark  day ; 
Oppression's  reign  o'erthrown. 
Sweet  peace  once  more  our  own. 
Do  Thou  the  topmost  stone 

Securely  lay. 

And  when  each  earth-built  wall, 
Crumbling  to  dust,  shall  fall, 

Our  work  still  own  ; 
Be  to  each  faithful  heart 
That  here  hath  wrought  its  part 
What  in  Thy  Church  Thou  art— 

A  Corner-stone." 

The  first  services  were  held  in  the  Chapel  which  was 
completed  May  22d,  1864.  The  Church  was  dedicated 
April  30th,  1865.  The  parsonage  adjoining  the 
Church  on  Thirty-fifth  Street  was  completed  two  years 
later.  The  entire  cost  of  Church  and  parsonage  was 
$160,000.  The  last  services  were  held  in  this  Church 
Sunday,  February  nth,  1894,  and  Wednesday  eve- 
ning, February  14th,  1894.  This  Church  was  con- 
solidated with  the  Brick  Presbyterian  Church  April 
I2th,  1894.  The  property  was  sold  for  $315,000,  of 
which  $290,000  became  a  part  of  the  endowment  fund 
of  the  consolidated  churches.  The  pictures  of  this 
Church  are  from  photographs  taken  by  Mr.  Alfred  R. 
Kimball  in  1887  and  1889. 


GEORGE  LEWIS  PRENTISS,  D.D. 


Rev,  George  L.  Prentiss,  D.D. 

In  1858  the  seven  years  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Prentiss,  at  the  Mercer  Street  Presbyterian  Church, 
New  York,  came  to  an  end  by  his  resignation  on 
account  of  his  health.  He  returned  from  Europe  in 
i860,  and  his  friends  persuaded  him  to  preach  to  them. 
As  a  result  the  Church  of  the  Covenant  was  organized, 
and  he  was  installed  pastor  May  nth,  1862.  This 
position  he  filled  with  distinguished  ability  until 
February  12th,  1873,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  the 
"Skinner  and  McAlpin  Professorship  of  Pastoral 
Theology,  Church  Polity,  and  Mission  Work,"  in  the 
Union  Theological  Seminary  of  New  York.  He  con- 
tinued in  active  service  in  the  Seminary  until  his  re- 
tirement, as  Professor  Emeritus,  January  12th,  1897. 
But  through  his  writings  and  personal  wise  counsel 
he  gave  invaluable  assistance  to  this  institution  until 
his  death  on  March  i8th,  1903.  During  the  last  years 
of  his  life  Dr.  Prentiss  was  most  lovingly  interested 
in  the  work  of  this  Church,  which  was  begun  during 
his  pastorate.  His  portrait  in  the  middle  parlor  was 
presented  by  a  former  member  of  his  session,  Mr. 
William  H.  Helme  Moore,  on  April  19th,  1903,  when 
the  entire  day  was  devoted  to  services  in  honor  of  his 
memory,  A  full  report  of  these  services,  including 
the  addresses  of  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Stoddard,  D.D., 
and  of  Mr.  J.  Cleveland  Cady,  were  published  in  the 
New  York  Observer,  April  23d,  1903,  to  whose  cour- 
tesy we  are  indebted  for  the  accompanying  picture  of 
the  first  pastor  and  always  the  loving  friend  of  the  two 
Churches  of  the  Covenant. 


Rev.  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  D.D. 

The  second  pastor,  the  Rev.  Marvin  R.  Vincent, 
D.D.,  was  installed  May  8th,  1873.  With  splendid 
scholarly  pulpit  ability  and  loving  pastoral  efficiency 
he  served  the  Church  until  November,  1887,  when  he 
resigned  to  become  the  "Baldwin  Professor  of  Sacred 
Literature"  in  the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  New 
York,  a  position  which  he  is  now  filling  with  distinc- 
tion and  honor.  Sunday  morning,  January  27th, 
1 90 1,  Dr.  Vincent  preached  the  Thirty-fifth  Anni- 
versary sermon  from  the  text  Genesis  32  :g,  10.  In 
this  sermon  he  said:  "It  is  nearly  thirty  years  since  I 
came  to  the  Church  of  the  Covenant.  It  is  thirteen 
years  since  I  laid  down  its  pastorate.  The  fifteen 
years  of  my  stay  and  labor  there  are  crowded  with 
delightful  memories.  It  is  all  behind  me  now,  but 
there  is  one  consolation  for  every  faithful  workman 
in  Christ's  vineyard,  that  his  work  is  not  lost,  however 
his  immediate  associations  may  be  broken  up;  that  it 
reproduces  itself  in  other  forms,  and  in  other  years." 
The  portrait  of  Dr.  Vincent,  in  our  middle  parlor, 
was  the  gift  of  friends  who  were  members  of  the 
Church  of  the  Covenant  during  his  pastorate,  and  was 
presented  to  us  December,  1903. 

Rev.  James  Hall  McIlvaine,  D.D. 

On  December  17th,  1888,  Dr.  McIlvaine  was  in- 
stalled pastor  and  continued  in  this  relationship  until 
the  consolidation  of  the  Church  of  the  Covenant  with 
the  Brick  Church,  April  12th,  1894,  when,  with  the 
Rev.  Henry  van  Dyke,  D.D.,  he  became  co-ordinate 
pastor  of  the  Brick  Church.  During  his  pastorate 
there  was  inaugurated  the  collegiate  system  in  the 
Church  by   the  regular  call   through   the   Presbytery 


CHURCH  OF  THE  COVEXAXT,  18S"J, 
Park  Avenue  and  Thirty-fifth  Street. 


of  Rev.  George  S.  Webster  as  associate  pastor  to  have 
charge  of  the  congregation  worshipping  at  Covenant 
Chapel.  This  was  an  important  step  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  present  Church.  It  recognized  the  desire 
of  the  people  worshipping  in  the  Mission  Chapel  for 
more  permanent  Church  organization.  It  also  gave 
their  pastor  a  better  standing  in  the  Presbytery  and 
in  the  city.  By  this  plan  there  was  held  to  the  Church 
several  families  who  had  determined  to  unite  with 
other  churches  unless  the  Mission  system  was  changed. 
They  became  a  valuable  nucleus  for  the  effective  pres- 
ent organization.  Dr.  Mcllvaine  endeared  himself  to 
both  congregations  of  the  one  Church  of  the  Covenant 
by  his  wise  administration,  his  eloquent  and  practical 
preaching  and  his  faithful  pastoral  oversight.  His 
portrait,  in  the  middle  parlor,  was  the  gift  of  his 
friends  in  the  first  Church  of  the  Covenant.  Dr. 
Mcllvaine  is  now  the  Rector  of  Calvary  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  Pittsburg,  Pa. 


Corner=^tone 

The  only  visible  memorial  of  the  walls  of  the 
Church  of  the  Covenant  at  Thirty-fifth  Street  and  Park 
Avenue  is  the  cornerstone  which  is  placed  in  the  west 
wall  of  the  vestibule.  This  was  first  laid  November 
5th,  1863.  It  was  transferred  to  this  Church  Decem- 
ber 1 6th,  1894.  It  contains  the  original  historical 
matter  which  was  deposited  in  it  when  first  laid,  and 
subsequent  historical  matter  relating  both  to  the 
Church  and  Covenant  Chapel  down  to  the  date  of  its 
transference.  Originally  it  was  a  rough  stone  with- 
out inscription,  and  we  are  indebted  for  it  to  the 
watchful  care  of  Mr.  Charles  R.  Culyer,  sexton  of  the 
Church  during  its  entire  history.     The  present  inscrip- 


tion  was  a  labor  of  love  wrought  by  the  hands  of 
Mr.  John  A.  Lang,  a  Deacon  of  this  Church.  The 
stone  was  set  in  its  present  niche  by  Mr.  Daniel  Keller, 
one  of  the  early  converts  of  the  work  and  who  is  now 
Deacon  of  this  Church.  Mr.  Charles  Butler,  LL.D., 
President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Church 
during  its  entire  history,  in  their  behalf  presented  this 
cornerstone  to  the  Trustees  of  this  Church,  who  were 
represented  by  their  President,  Mr.  J.  Cleveland  Cady. 
Dr.  Butler,  then  in  the  93d  year  of  his  age,  closed  his 
address  with  these  words : 

"  In  conclusion,  remember  that,  as  this  corner-stone  was  laid 
in  the  foundation  of  the  first  Church,  so  let  it  be  a  symbol  in  its 
new  position,  of  that  true  spiritual  Corner-stone  on  which  all 
Christian  Life,  corporate  or  individual,  must  rest.  And  further, 
as  this  new  Church  of  the  Covenant  was  in  its  germ  one  of  the 
first  and  sweetest  fruits  of  the  parent  Church,  and  from  its  begin- 
ning has  been  richly  crowned  with  the  favor  and  blessing  of  the 
Master,  now  that  it  has  for  its  inheritance  embodied  in  its  Corner- 
stone the  full  record  of  its  ancestry,  may  that  record  in  its  future 
be  made  brighter  and  brighter,  ever  reflecting  the  light  and  the 
glory  of  Him  for  whose  service  and  glory  it  was  founded." 

Jfaitf)  Cablet 

On  the  north  wall  of  the  auditorium,  near  the  en- 
trance, is  the  marble  bas-relief  "Faith,"  the  work  of 
the  famous  sculptor  E.  D.  Palmer.  It  was  purchased  in 
1858  by  Mr.  Wm.  Curtis  Noyes,  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  Church  of  the  Covenant.  Placed  in  his  library 
it  expressed  the  motto  of  his  life  till  he  "fell  asleep" 
December  25th,  1864.  In  1865  it  was  placed  in  the 
Church  of  the  Covenant,  north  wall,  under  the  gallery, 
where  it  remained  till  the  Church  was  demolished. 
The  family  desired  that  it  be  given  to  this  Church. 
The  present  frame  was  designed  by  Mr.  J.  C.  Cady. 
The  tablet  was  unveiled  December  i6th,  1894.     Mr. 

10 


Noyes  was  a  famous  lawyer,  who  declined  the  honor 
of  being  a  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States,  and  who 
was  an  esteemed  and  valued  friend  of  many  of  the 
leading  men  of  the  nation.  His  personal  character 
was  thus  described  by  his  pastor.  Dr.  Prentiss :  "He 
was  an  humble  follower  of  Christ,  and  for  a  long  period 
an  active  and  consecrated  member  of  the  Church.  He 
loved  the  House  of  God,  and  was  a  regular  attendant 
upon  and  participant  in  its  weekly  meetings.  He  was 
a  priest  in  his  household,  leading  with  earnest  delight 
the  devotions  of  his  family,  and  was  engaged  even 
beyond  the  knowledge  of  any  but  the  most  intimate 
friends  in  contributing  of  his  substance  to  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  cause  of  Christ  both  in  this  and  in 
foreign  lands." 

Pajptisfmal  Jfont 

Our  Baptismal  Font  was  presented  to  the  Church 
of  the  Covenant  by  Elders  Benjamin  F.  Butler  and 
Robert  Gordon.  It  was  used  for  the  first  time  on 
the  afternoon  of  Sunday,  April  2d,  1876,  at  the  Com- 
munion Service.  On  this  occasion  there  were  received 
on  profession  of  their  faith  three  sons  of  Elder  Butler, 
viz.,  Benjamin  F.  Butler,  Jr.,  Robert  Gordon  Butler, 
and  Allan  Macy  Butler;  also  their  cousin,  Elizabeth 
B.  Crosby,  daughter  of  Elder  John  P.  Crosby,  and 
William  Gordon,  the  oldest  son  of  Elder  Robert  Gor- 
don; also  Charles  R.  Culyer,  and  Samantha  Culyer, 
his  wife,  who  was  the  first  person  baptized  from  the 
font.  In  1894,  after  the  consolidation  of  the  Church 
of  the  Covenant  and  the  Brick  Church,  the  font  was 
given  to  this  Church.  Its  motto,  "One  Lord,  one 
Faith,  one  Baptism,"  fittingly  memorializes  that  union. 

11 


Covenant  iWiMon 


VER  a  stable  at  206  East  Fortieth  Street  on 
January  28th,  1866,  was  held  the  first  session 
of  the  Sunday  School,  out  of  which  has 
grown  this  Church.  The  following  officers 
and  teachers  were  present :  Henry  A.  Backus,  J.  Cleve- 
land Cady,  Henry  A.  Crosby,  William  O.  Curtis,  John 
C.  Eastman,  Edward  C.  Miles,  Miss  Isabel  N.  Miles, 
Miss  Annie  L.  Prentiss  (Mrs.  Henry),  William  Allen 
Smith,  Miss  Mallville  M.  W.  Smith  (Mrs.  McClellan), 
William  R.  Sheffield,  and  Charles  Woolsey.  Mr. 
Woolsey  was  the  first  Superintendent,  but  held  the 
office  for  only  a  few  months  when  he  was  succeeded 
by  Mr.  Cady,  who  has  been  in  continuous  service  till 
the  present  time. 

Upon  the  walls  of  our  Infant  Class  Room  upstairs 
are  six  framed  water-colors,  the  work  of  Superin- 
tendent Cady,  to  illustrate  the  Sunday  School  les- 
sons and  to  point  the  way  for  our  present  lithographic 
pictures.  These  once  adorned  the  walls  of  the  Cov- 
enant Mission.  They  are  entitled  "The  End  of  the 
Flood,"  "Abraham  and  Isaac,"  "The  Finding  of 
Moses,"  "Moses  Receiving  the  Ten  Commandments," 
"Samuel  and  Eli,"  and  "David  and  Goliath." 


iWemorial  ©ablet 

On  the  south  wall  of  the  Auditorium  near  the 
Library  door  is  a  tablet  erected  as  "A  loving  tribute 
from  her  fellow  teachers"  to  the  memory  of  Mrs.  Julia 
B.  Cady,  whose  work  was  connected  entirely  with  the 
Mission  in  Fortieth  Street,  where  this  tablet  was  first 
placed.  One  of  our  most  precious  inheritances  from 
the  Covenant  Mission  is  the  collection  of  Hymns  for 

12 


use  in  the  Sunday  School,  which  has  been  preserved 
on  banners  prepared  by  Dr.  Charles  O.  Kimball  or 
members  of  his  family. 

The  composition  of  words  and  music  of  our  214 
hymns  has  many  sources  and  represents  much  earnest 
thought  and  many  hours  of  valuable  time.  We  give 
one,  the  words  and  music  of  which  was  written  for 
the  School  in  the  Mission  at  Fortieth  Street.  It  was 
sung  at  the  dedication  of  this  building,  and  is  still  in 
use  in  our  Sunday  School. 

tEfje  #uilre,  Jf rienb  anb  Wiap 

By  Julia  B.  Cady 

There  is  a  tender  Shepherd 

Who  watches  o'er  His  sheep, 
And  they  need  fear  no  evil, 

Who  in  His  pastures  keep  ; 
Christ  Jesus  is  that  Shepherd, 

Oh  !  grant,  dear  Lord,  that  we 
Within  Thy  living  Pastures 

May,  safe  and  happy  be. 

There  is  a  Friend  most  loving, 

A  Friend  that's  ever  near  ; 
To  all  our  wants  and  sorrows 

He  bows  a  listening  ear. 
That  Friend  is  Christ,  our  Saviour, 

His  heart  is  full  of  love  ; 
Dear  Jesus,  may  we  prize  Thee, 

All  other  friends  above. 

O  blessed,  holy  Jesus, 

Thou  Shepherd  kind  and  strong, 
Thou  Friend  so  true  and  loving, 

May  we  to  Thee  belong  ; 
Our  only  hope  of  Heaven, 

The  Life,  the  Truth,  the  Way, 
May  we  with  sins  forgiven. 

Praise  Thee  in  endless  day. 

13 


Covenant  Cfjapel 


HIS  Church  building  is  an  evidence  of  the 
success  of  the  work  of  the  Covenant  Mission 
which  outgrew  its  quarters  in  Fortieth  Street. 
In  the  Session  Records  of  February  5th. 
1870,  is  found  the  following  minute:  "A  Committee 
from  the  Mission  School,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Lovell, 
Cady,  Farnsworth,  and  Storrs,  appeared  and  made  a 
written  statement  showing  the  need  which  exists  for 
providing  the  Mission  School  with  better  accommo- 
dations and  giving  details  of  a  plan  for  erecting  a 
suitable  building.  The  statement  was  received  and 
ordered  on  file,  and  its  subject  matter  fully  discussed. 
Dr.  Post  offered  the  following  resolution:  "That  in 
the  judgment  of  the  session  it  is  expedient  to  make 
an  effort  at  the  present  time  to  raise  the  money  neces- 
sary to  carry  into  effect  the  plan  proposed  for  building 
a  mission  chapel.  The  sum  being  $35,000,  the  build- 
ing to  be  called  the  Memorial  Chapel  of  the  Church 
of  the  Covenant." 

This  name,  Memorial  Chapel,  links  our  building 
with  one  of  the  greatest  events  in  the  history  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  In  May,  1869,  the  new  School 
Presbyterian  Assembly  met  in  the  Church  of  the  Cov- 
enant, and  at  the  same  time  the  old  School  Presby- 
terian Assembly  met  in  the  Brick  Church  in  this  city. 
At  these  meetings  the  union  between  the  old  and  the 
new  schools  was  determined  upon.  This  re-union  of 
the  two  great  branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
that  had  been  separated  for  thirty-two  years,  was  the 
occasion  of  great  rejoicing.  Among  other  tokens  of 
that  joy  was  the  raising  of  a  memorial  fund  for  ex- 
tending Christ's  Kingdom.  Covenant  Chapel  was 
named  Memorial  in  honor  of  that  great  event. 

14 


3       — 
^       X 


The  lots  and  building  cost  about  $50,000.  The 
plans  were  drawn  by  Mr.  J.  Cleveland  Cady,  it  being 
the  first  Church  he  designed  for  New  York  City.  His 
heart  being  in  the  work  to  be  done  in  this  building, 
the  architect  gave  his  best  thought  to  the  plans  that 
would  care  for  the  work.  He  departed  from  the  con- 
ventional seating,  introducing  the  social  grouping  and 
the  reversible  pews  for  Sunday  School  classes.  Dr. 
Prentiss  called  it  "One  of  the  architectural  gems  of  the 
city."  It  was  for  some  time  a  model  for  other 
churches.  On  Sunday,  December  24th,  1871,  the  dedi- 
cation services  were  held.  Dr.  Prentiss  preached  the 
sermon  and  the  Hon.  Wm.  E.  Dodge  made  an  ad- 
dress. From  that  day  to  the  present  the  building  has 
been  under  the  watchful  eye  of  its  architect,  the  results 
of  which  are  seen  in  its  tasteful  decorations  and  fur- 
nishings. Mrs.  Elizabeth  Prentiss,  a  celebrated  writer, 
the  wife  of  the  pastor  and  teacher  of  an  adult  class  in 
the  Sunday  School,  composed  the  following  hymn  for 
the  dedication: 


©ebicatton  ^pmn 

By  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Prentiss 

"  Thankfully,  O  Lord,  we  come 
To  this  new  and  happy  home  : 
Wilt  Thou  not  from  Heaven  descend. 
Here  to  dwell  as  friend  with  friend, 
Granting  us  the  wondrous  grace 
To  behold  Thee  face  to  face  ? 

Teach  us  here  to  praise  and  pray, 
How  to  live  from  day  to  day, 
Teach  us  who  and  what  Thou  art. 
Write  Thy  name  on  every  heart. 
Make  us  pure,  and  clean,  and  white. 
Blessed  Jesus  in  Thy  sight. 


IS 


May  the  weary  here  find  rest 
On  the  tender  Shepherd's  breast, 
May  the  erring  cease  to  stray, 
Learning  here  the  perfect  way, 
And  the  mourner  find  that  here 
Jesus  wipes  away  the  tear. 

And  when  life's  short  day  is  o'er, 
And  we  hither  come  no  more, 
Father,  Saviour,  loving  Friend, 
Guide  us  to  our  journey's  end, 
Thankful  that  we  often  came 
Here  to  learn  Thy  blessed  name." 

Rev.  Howard  A.  Talbot. 

In  1867  Mr.  Benjamin  F.  McNeil,  a  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary  Student,  was  engaged  to  assist  in 
the  work  of  the  Sunday  School  and  prayer  meetings 
of  the  Covenant  Mission.  He  was  succeeded  by  Mr. 
George  E.  Northrup,  who  bore  the  title  of  Chapel  Mis- 
sionary 1868-9.  Mr.  George  S.  Payson,  Mr.  J.  Henry 
House,  Mr.  Edgar  A.  Hamilton,  Mr.  William  Plested, 
and  Mr.  William  H.  Ford  followed  as  Chapel  Mis- 
sionaries until  May  4th,  1875,  when  the  Rev.  Howard 
A.  Talbot  was  ordained  and  began  as  Chapel  Pastor. 
In  October,  1875,  Mr.  Talbot  requested  that  the  Lord's 
Supper  be  celebrated  at  the  Chapel.  The  first  session 
meeting  was  held  here  November  8th,  1875,  R^v. 
Mr.  Talbot,  and  Elders  Dr.  Alfred  C.  Post  and  Mr. 
W.  H.  Helme  Moore  were  present.  At  this  meeting 
thirteen  members  were  received,  of  whom  five  were 
upon  confession  of  their  faith.  Before  this  date  seventy 
persons  belonging  to  the  Chapel  congregation  had 
united  with  the  Church,  making  the  nucleus  of  the 
present  Church  of  the  Covenant  eighty-three  members, 
being  the  same  in  numbers  as  the  charter  members  of 
the  Church  of  the  Covenant  that  was  organized  thir- 

16 


teen  years  before.  Mr.  Talbot  gave  six  and  one-half 
years  of  most  devoted  service,  resigning  in  October, 

1 88 1,  on  account  of  ill-health.  From  1 881-1889  he 
was  pastor  at  Merrill,  Wis.,  and  in  1889  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  DePere,  Wis., 
where  he  is  much  beloved  and  very  successful.  The 
portraits  of  the  Chapel  Pastors,  Talbot,  McEwen,  and 
Rogers,  are  the  gift  of  friends  in  this  Church. 

Rev.  Henry  T.  McEwen. 

On  November  17th,  1881,  the  Rev.  Henry  T. 
McEwen  of  the  class  of  1881  of  the  Union  Theologi- 
cal Seminary,  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  New 
York,  and  began  work  as  minister  at  Covenant  Chapel, 
immediately  succeeding  the  Rev.  Howard  A.  Talbot. 
He  labored  most  successfully  till  July,  1887,  when  he 
resigned  to  accept  the  call  of  the  Fourteenth  Street 
Presbyterian  Church  of  New  York.  During  his  min- 
istry there  was  secured  the  services  of  lady  visitors, 
one  of  whom.  Miss  Anna  M.  Juppe,  began  March  ist, 

1882,  and  has  continued  until  the  present  time,  a 
most  valuable  help  in  the  administration  of  benevo- 
lences and  in  pastoral  and  Sunday  School  work.  Mr. 
McEwen  laid  good  foundations  for  the  development 
of  the  Church  that  has  since  grown  up  here.  During 
his  ministry  212  members  were  added  to  the  Church 
roll.  Dr.  McEwen  is  now  the  pastor  of  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church,  Amsterdam,  N.  Y. 

Rev.  Edwin  E.  Rogers. 

The  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Edwin  E.  Rogers  began 
November,  1887,  and  continued  until  October,  1889. 
He  was  a  fine  preacher  and  did  good  work,  but  a 
severe  affliction  in  the  accidental   death  of  an  only 

17 


child,  and  a  call  to  a  Church  in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  made 
his  ministry  of  brief  duration.  In  1891  he  sent  this 
message  to  us : 

"I  feel  a  familiar  interest  in  Covenant  Chapel  and  in  the 
people  who  worship  there.  How  well  do  I  recall  the  experiences 
in  many  homes  near  that  place.  As  I  think  of  my  short  work 
there  I  seem  to  see  my  experiences  and  the  experiences  of  many 
others  mingling.  We  bowed  in  the  awful  presence  of  the  Great 
God  together.  I  look  forward  to  a  time  when  in  another  place 
we  may  all  join  with  the  loved  ones  who  have  been  taken  over 
before  us  in  such  hallelujahs  as  the  redeemed  will  sing  before 
the  great  white  throne.  Our  tears  will  be  wiped  away  then.  I 
shall  never  cease  to  pray  for  Covenant  Chapel,  for  those  who 
worship  there,  and  for  those  who  give  care,  labor,  money  and 
their  prayers  to  its  work," 

Dr.    Rogers    is    now    pastor    of    the    Presbyterian 
Church,  Bowling  Green,  Ohio. 

Rev.  Henry  van  Dyke,  D.D.,  LL.D. 

One  of  the  most  important  events  in  the  history  of 
this  Church  grew  out  of  the  consolidation  of  the 
Church  of  the  Covenant  at  Thirty-fifth  Street  and  Park 
Avenue  with  the  Brick  Church  at  Thirty-seventh  • 
Street  and  Fifth  Avenue,  which  was  effected  April 
1 2th.  1894. 

The  relation  of  the  Brick  Church  to  this  Church 
was  expressed  officially  in  the  articles  of  consolidation 
as  follows:  "The  work  heretofore  carried  on  at  the 
Covenant  Chapel  in  East  Forty-second  Street  is  to 
receive  from  the  Brick  Church  that  cordial  sympathy 
and  financial  support  which  it  has  heretofore  had  from 
the  Church  of  the  Covenant."  This  covenant  has 
been  more  than  fulfilled  by  the  generous  support  of  the 
members  of  the  Brick  Church  led  by  their  pastors, 
who  have  been  most  cordial,  loving  and  loyal  in  their 
sympathies  and  interest  in  the  work.     The  pastor  of 

18 


the  Brick  Church  who  suggested  the  happy  name 
of  "affihation"  for  this  relationship  was  Dr.  van  Dyke, 
whose  portrait,  in  our  middle  parlor,  was  given  us  by 
friends  in  the  Brick  Church.  From  the  many  pleasant 
things  that  might  be  said  attesting  his  loving  help  to 
this  Church  we  select  the  correspondence  that  was  had 
upon  the  occasion  of  his  resignation. 

New  York,  January  6,  1900. 
To  THE  Rkv.  Henry  van  Dyke,  D.D.  LL.D.  : 

Dear  Dr.  van  Dyke— We  hereby  express  to  you,  in  behalf  of 
the  Church  of  the  Covenant,  our  grateful  appreciation  of  your 
cordial  sympathy,  loyal  interest  and  generous  support,  which  has 
cheered,  comforted  and  strengthened  us  in  our  work  during  the 
past  six  years. 

The  plan  of  affiliation,  which  you  inaugurated,  and  under 
which  we  have  been  associated  with  the  Brick  Presbyterian  Church , 
was  a  most  happy  solution  of  a  difficult  problem,  and  has  been 
blessed  of  God  to  the  furtherance  of  the  Gospel  of  His  Son  in 
this  city. 

We  deeply  regret  the  severing  of  the  personal  relations  that 

have  inspired  us  and  blessed  our  Church,  and  we  shall  follow  you 

with  affectionate  regard  and  with  earnest  prayer  for  the  richest 

Divine  blessing  to  ever  abide  in  your  home  and  upon  your  work. 

Cordially  yours, 

Geo.  Sidney  Webster,  Pastor. 

Geo.  H.  Yewell,  Daniel  H.  Wiesner, 

Chas.  S.  McKay,  Lloyd  W.  Fisher, 

Elders. 

Chas.  W.  Pack,  Jas.  W.  Walker, 

Geo.  W.  Elkins,  J.  Eaton  Jessup, 

Jos.  B.  Adsit,  Emile  J.  De  Lherbe, 

Deacons. 

J.  Cleveland  Cady,  Chairman  Board  Trustees, 

Sunday-School  Stiperintendent . 

Chas.  O.  Kimball,  Assistant  Sunday-School 

Superintendent . 
Alfred  R.  Kimball,  Treasurer, 

A.  R.  Ledoux,  D.  J.  Holden,  Trustees. 

Anna  M.  Juppe,  Visitor. 

19 


Stanworth,  Princeton,  N.  J. 

My  Dear  Friend  : 

To  you,  and  to  the  Church  of  the  Covenant,  my  love  and 
hearty  thanks  for  your  letter.  It  came  to  me  on  a  day  of  pain  and 
brought  real  comfort.  For  the  providence  that  brought  me  into 
relations  with  the  Church  of  the  Covenant  I  shall  ever  be  grateful. 
You  have  done  me  good  and  not  evil,  all  the  years  that  we  have 
been  together.  From  you  I  have  learned  much  and  received  true 
help.  God  bless  you  all  in  your  work  for  the  Master,  and  keep 
us  always  good  friends  in  the  fellowship  of  service. 

Faithfully  yours, 

Henry  van  Dyke. 
January  15,  1900. 

To  Rev.  George  S.  Webster  and  the  Church  of  the  Covenant, 
men,  women  and  little  children  in  the  unity  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Rev.  Maltbie  D.  Babcock,  D.D. 

Dr.  Babcock  began  his  service  in  the  Brick  Church 
as  pastor-elect,  Sunday  January  14th,  1900,  and  was 
installed  pastor  February  27th,  1900.  During  his  brief 
pastorate,  which  ended  with  his  death  at  Naples,  Italy, 
May  1 8th,  1901,  he  was  the  affectionate  and  interested 
friend  of  this  Church.  On  Sunday  evening,  March 
nth,  1900,  at  an  Anniversary  service  in  this  Church, 
he  gave  a  most  thrilling  address,  of  which  the  follow- 
ing is  a  brief  report : 

a  greeting  and  a  prophecy. 

"Nothing  could  be  pleasanter  or  easier  to  bring  you  than  a 
greeting  this  evening.  Greetings  are  some  of  the  most  delightful 
things  in  life.  I  confess  I  cannot  pass  a  dog  without  whistling  to 
him,  or  a  cat  without  wanting  to  pat  it,  or  a  child  without  a  smile. 
I  more  than  greet  you  to-night — I  felicitate  you,  I  more  than 
felicitate  you,  I  congratulate  you.  I  rejoice  with  you  in  what 
God  has  done  for  you  and  through  you  in  these  years  that  have 
passed. 

"But  prophesying  is  another  matter.  Of  the  two  kinds  of 
prophesying,  fore-telling  and  forth-telling,  the  only  one  that  I  dare 
venture  upon  is  the  latter,  the  practical  kind,  the  forth-telling. 

20 


That  was  the  principal  business  of  the  prophets  of  old  times, 
who  did  not  so  much  tell  God's  people  minute  events  that  would 
happen  in  the  future,  but  announce,  trumpet  forth,  forth-tell  the 
consequence  that  would  come  upon  them  in  obeying  or  disobey- 
ing God's  great  laws. 

"  The  weather  bureau  does  not  guess  the  future,  but  watches 
conditions  all  over  the  country,  and  from  the  disposition  of  the 
winds,  the  rise  and  fall  of  temperature,  the  air  pressure  and  the 
like,  calculates  along  the  lines  of  God's  working  laws,  the  ten- 
dencies and  consequences  of  visible  and  immediate  conditions. 
Let  me  then  tell  you,  forth-tell  you,  and  may  I  not  make  it  fore- 
telling, that  if  you  are  loyal  to  your  pastor,  encouraging  him  in 
every  way  ;  if  you  are  faithful  as  church  members  in  your  meeting 
and  greeting  of  strangers  as  they  come  to  this  church,  inviting 
non-church  goers  to  make  a  church-home  with  you  ;  and  best  of 
all,  if  in  your  daily  life  you  show  what  God  can  do  through  the 
Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ  and  His  Church  and  His  ministry  to  make 
you  good,  useful,  joyful  Christians,  the  future  of  this  church  will 
be  brighter  and  brighter,  and  its  last  ten  years  be  but  a  bud  to 
unfold  in  new  beauty  and  fragrance  and  fruitage  in  the  years  to 
come." 

Dr.  Babcock's  portrait,  in  the  middle  parlor,  is  the 
gift  of  the  Babcock  Sunshine  Circle,  a  band  of  girls 
in  this  Church  organized  in  his  memory  and  who  are 
trying  to  live  the  sunny  Christian  life  for  which  he 
was  so  famous. 

Cijurcj)  jFurnisJfjingsf 

The  organ  was  built  in  1887  by  George  S.  Hutch- 
ings,  of  Boston,  after  plans  prepared  by  Mr.  J.  Cleve- 
land Cady.  It  costs  $1,670,  and  was  the  result  of 
much  self-sacrifice  on  the  part  of  the  congregation  and 
their  friends  who  raised  the  money  under  the  leadership 
of  Pastor  McEwen.  It  was  rebuilt  and  enlarged  in 
1905  by  Kastengren  and  Peterson,  of  New  York,  at  a 
cost  of  $600.  The  plans  were  prepared  by  our  organ- 
ist, Mr.  Reginald  L.  McAll,  and  approved  by  Mr.  S. 
Archer  Gibson,  the  Brick  Church  organist,  and  by  Mr. 
J.  Cleveland  Cady. 

21 


The  Communion  Table  was  designed  especially  for 
this  Church  by  Mr,  J.  Cleveland  Cady,  and  was  the 
gift,  in  1 89 1,  of  ten  families  of  the  Covenant  Chapel 
congregation  who  contributed  $45  for  this  memorial 
to  their  "loved  and  lost  awhile." 

The  silver  communion  service  was  presented  to  the 
Church  March  7th,  1892,  by  our  Assistant  Sunday 
School  Superintendent,  Dr.  Charles  O.  Kimball,  and 
our  Treasurer,  Mr.  Alfred  R.  Kimball,  as  a  memorial 
to  members  of  their  own  family.  It  was  used  for  the 
first  time  April  loth,  1892,  on  the  occasion  of  the  or- 
dination and  installation  of  Dr.  Daniel  H.  Wiesner, 
as  Elder,  and  of  Mr.  Charles  W.  Pack,  as  Deacon. 
The  communion  was  served  by  Elders  Charles  O. 
Kimball,  Alfred  E.  Marling,  Henry  D.  Noyes,  and 
Daniel  H.  Wiesner. 

The  women  of  the  Covenant  Chapel  congregation 
raised  $600  in  November,  1892,  for  the  new  pews, 
which  were  used  for  the  first  time  February  19th, 
1893.  The  women  also  raised  the  money  for  the  piano 
in  the  parlor  and  for  the  cushions  and  carpet.  The 
pulpit,  designed  by  J.  Cleveland  Cady,  valued  at  $qo. 
was  made  and  presented  by  a  member  of  the  congre- 
gation, Mr.  A.  Grieshaber,  in  the  Autumn  of  1892. 

The  tablet  containing  the  Lord's  Prayer,  in  the  front 
parlor,  was  designed  and  carved  by  Mr.  Nicholas  Fred- 
erick Loi,  who  united  with  the  Church  at  Covenant 
Chapel,  June  13th,  1886,  and  was  a  most  faithful  and 
loyal  member  until  his  death  in  the  Home  for  Incur- 
ables, February  5th,  1905.  The  tablet  was  presented 
to  Pastor  Webster,  February  12th,  1894,  and  by  him 
given  to  the  Church. 


22 


FRANCIS  HKNRY  MARLING,  D.l). 


®f)e  iWarling  iWemorial  parlor 


UL 


T  the  Thirty-fifth  Anniversary  service,  held 
Sunday  morning  January  27th,  1901,  the 
sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Marvin 
R.  Vincent,  D.D.,  the  Scriptures  were  read 
by  the  Rev.  Wallace  W.  Atterbury,  D.D.,  prayer  of- 
fered by  the  Rev.  Professor  Francis  Brown,  D.D., 
LL.D.,  and  the  benediction  pronounced  by  the  Rev. 
Francis  H.  Marling,  D.D.  As  Dr.  Marling  came  into 
the  pulpit  for  this  service  the  sun  shone  upon  his  face, 
lighting  it  up  with  a  heavenly  radiance,  which  was  re- 
marked by  many  who  saw  him.  Those  words  of  bless- 
ing, prompted  by  his  loving  interest  in  this  Church 
for  many  years,  were  the  last  pulpit  utterances  of  this 
noble  man  of  God.  The  next  Sunday  morning  as  he 
was  walking  from  the  manse  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Port  Chester,  N.  Y.,  to  deliver  a  memorial 
address  upon  the  Queen  of  England,  he  was  suddenly 
called  home.  From  1875  to  1887  Dr.  Marling  was 
the  beloved  pastor  of  the  Fourteenth  Street  Presby- 
terian Church,  New  York.  His  successor,  the  Rev. 
Henry  T.  McEwen,  was  called  there  from  Covenant 
Chapel.  Members  of  his  family  belonged  to  the 
Church  of  the  Covenant  and  taught  in  the  Covenant 
Chapel  Sunday  School.  He  was  one  of  a  great  host 
of  loving  friends,  who  were  not  directly  and  intimately 
associated  in  the  work  here,  but  who  aided  it  occasion- 
ally, and  who  took  an  affectionate  and  loyal  interest 
in  it.  His  son,  Mr.  Alfred  E.  Marling,  was  for  sev- 
eral years  the  teacher  of  the  Young  Ladies'  Bible  Class. 
He  has  furnished  the  South  Parlor,  our  Young  Ladies' 
Bible  Class  Room,  with  pictures  as  a  memorial  to  his 
father  and  our  friend.  Three  of  them  are  copies  of 
famous  paintings,  "Christ  in  the  Temple,"  Hofmann, 

23 


"Christ  Stilling  the  Storm"  and  "The  Good  Shepherd," 
Dietrich.  The  remaining  pictures  are  enlargements 
of  kodak  photographs  taken  in  the  Spring  of  1901 
during  a  trip  to  Egypt  and  Palestine,  and  are  illus- 
trative of  the  Scripture  texts  with  which  they  are 
labeled.  "Gethsemane,  the  Kedron  Valley  and  the 
Walls  of  Jerusalem,"  Luke  19  :37,  was  taken  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Maltbie  D.  Babcock  from  the  western  slope 
of  the  Mount  of  Olives.  The  remaining  pictures  were 
taken  by  the  Rev.  George  S.  Webster.  "Water  Wheel 
on  the  Nile,"  Psalm  65:9;  "Plain  of  Sharon,"  "Naz- 
areth Oven,"  Luke  12:28;  "Plowing  at  Bedrashen, 
Egypt,"  Luke  9:62;  "The  Wilderness  of  Judea," 
Matthew  3:3;  "Samos,"  Acts  20:15;  "Syrian  Shep- 
herd Calling  His  Flock,"  John  10:14;  "Libyan  Desert 
at  Thebes,  Egypt,"  Isaiah  32  :2 ;  "Olive  Tree  in  Geth- 
semane,"  Matthew  26 :36 ;  "Galilean  Fishermen  Mend- 
ing Their  Nets,"  Mark  I  :iq;  "Dr.  Babcock  at  the  East 
Gate  Damascus,"  Acts  9:11;  "Glacier  and  Mountains, 
Switzerland,"  Psalm  72 :3 ;  "Bethlehem  Sheep  Mar- 
ket," Luke  2:15;  "Virgin's  Fountain,  Nazareth." 
Luke  2:51. 


24 


iatfiliateb  Cfjutcljeg 

Sermon  by  Rev.  William  R.  Richards,  D.D. 

Pastor  of  the  Brick  Presbyterian  Church 

Sunday  Evening,  January  28th,   1906. 

"  In  what  place  therefore  ye  hear  the  sound  of  the  trumpet 
resort  ye  thither  unto  us."     Nehemiah,  4:  20. 


HEY  were  building  the  wall  of  Jerusalem;  and 
the  wall  was  long  while  these  Jews  were  few. 
At  some  unexpected  point  their  enemies 
might  break  in  and  destroy  their  work.  There- 
fore Nehemiah  arranged  this  signal  of  the  trumpet. 
He  shows  thereby  the  instincts  of  a  great  soldier,  for 
the  captain  who  can  most  promptly  mass  his  forces  at 
the  point  of  collision  is  likely  to  win  the  battle. 

You  have  asked  me  to  speak  at  this  Anniversary, 
and  to  say  how  the  work  of  the  Church  of  the 
Covenant  looks  from  my  point  of  view.  The  serious 
problem  before  all  the  Christian  people  of  New  York, 
from  my  point  of  view,  is  the  comparative  inefficiency 
of  the  church  in  our  great  cities.  In  the  country  at 
large  the  church  is  gaining  on  the  population.  In 
1850  there  was  one  church  for  614  inhabitants;  in 
1870,  one  for  611 ;  in  1880,  one  for  438.  Later  statis- 
tics would  probably  show  a  similar  gain.  But  for  the 
principal  cities  the  figures  are,  1850,  one  church  for 
3,680  inhabitants;  in  1870,  one  for  5,104;  in  1880,  one 
for  5,375,  a  steady  loss.  The  most  distressing  circum- 
stance is,  that  in  the  worst  parts  of  the  cities,  we  find 
the  conditions  growing  steadily  more  and  more  un- 
favorable. For  the  few  churches  left  in  such  a  neigh- 
borhood find  it  increasingly  difficult  to  maintain  them- 
selves ;  and  therefore  are  always  tending  to  move  away 
to  some  more  religious  and  congenial  environment. 

25 


South  of  Fourteenth  Street  there  were  in  1888  two 
hundred  thousand  more  people  than  there  had  been 
twenty  years  earlier,  but  there  were  fourteen  less 
Protestant  churches.  Very  lately  we  have  heard  of 
one  church  from  the  neighborhood  of  Thirtieth 
Street  West  moving  up  to  Washington  Heights;  and 
the  old  First  Church  itself  must  appeal  for  help  from 
outside  that  it  may  not  be  forced  to  a  similar  migra- 
tion. So  in  the  city  the  prospects  of  the  church  seem 
to  be  bad  now,  and  constantly  tending  to  grow  worse. 
The  trouble  seems  to  be  that  there  is  no  common  man- 
agement such  as  might  combine  their  various  resources 
into  one  efficient  army.  Each  little  church  is  left  to 
defend  its  own  short  section  of  the  wall  unaided.  We 
have  no  Nehemiah's  trumpet,  and  therefore  our  ene- 
mies get  together  more  promptly  than  we.  Yet  the 
city  possesses  some  immense  advantages.  With  re- 
gard to  many  human  interests  we  look  to  it  for  the 
most  encouraging  progress.  "In  the  city  democracy 
is  organizing.  It  is  becoming  conscious  of  its  powers. 
There  the  industrial  issues  will  first  be  worked  out," 
and  there  was  a  time  when  the  Christian  church  also 
made  its  best  showing  in  the  cities.  It  was  in  those 
early  centuries  when  Christianity  was  making  its  first 
conquest  of  the  ancient  world.  In  the  New  Testa- 
ment itself,  all  the  great  churches  that  we  read  of  are 
in  great  cities,  such  as  Antioch,  Ephesus,  Corinth, 
Rome.  Indeed,  these  centers  of  population  became 
Christianized  so  rapidly  that  the  word  "pagan,"  or 
countryman  came  to  mean  "heathen." 

Now,  if  we  ask  for  the  explanation  of  that  rapid 
progress  of  the  ancient  church  at  the  very  point  where 
we  suffer  the  most  discouraging  defeat,  we  find  that 
in  those  days  they  had  just  what  we  lack,  namely  a 
unity  of  management  for  the  entire  church  of  every 
great  city.     I  will  quote  from  a  letter  written  some 

26 


1,650  years  ago  from  Rome  to  Antioch,  in  which  the 
Bishop  of  the  former  city  speaks  of  the  rich  and  varied 
resources  of  his  own  church :  "Forty-six  presbyters, 
seven  deacons,  seven  sub-deacons,  forty-two  clerks; 
readers,  janitors,  in  all,  fifty-two;  widows  and  other 
needy  more  than  fifteen  hundred ;  an  innumerable  mul- 
titude of  people,  some  of  them  wealthy" ;  all  in  one 
church  organization,  all  following  the  one  plan  of 
campaign.  No  wonder  in  those  days  such  a  church 
moved  forward  like  a  mighty  army,  and  made  great 
progress   against   the   enemy. 

It  may  seem  almost  too  much  to  expect  that  all 
the  many  different  kinds  of  Christians  in  our  immense 
metropolis  should  be  thus  combined  in  the  near  future 
into  one  single  army;  although  the  recent  Conference 
of  the  Church  Federation  marked  a  most  hopeful  step 
toward  that  end.  But  it  is  not  too  much  to  hope  that 
some  of  our  churches  might  accomplish  this  sort  of 
unity  on  a  smaller  scale.  That,  from  my  point  of 
view,  is  the  most  interesting  fact  connected  with  the 
history  of  this  church,  whose  anniversary  we  are  cele- 
brating. From  the  first  beginning,  forty  years  ago, 
you  had  been  growing  up  in  peculiar  relations  of  af- 
fectionate fellowship  with  the  old  Church  of  the  Cov- 
enant, whose  honored  name  you  have  now  inherited. 
This  long-continued  experience  had  been  training  you 
to  join  in  a  similar  fellowship  and  co-operation,  when 
Providence  so  appointed,  with  the  Brick  Church  in  the 
middle  of  the  Island,  and  with  Christ  Church  far  over 
toward  the  West.  And  so  it  is  that  we  of  these  three 
churches  now  find  ourselves  set  in  this  central  strip 
of  this  great  city,  reaching  from  river  to  river,  not 
as  three  rival  armies,  but  one  army,  with  one  plan  of 
campaign,  able  to  respond  promptly  to  the  one  trumpet 
signal,  and  to  pour  in  our  resources  of  men  or  money 
wherever  they  are  needed  most.     The  very  thing  the 

27 


city  church  has  generally  lacked  we  possess.  And 
this  relationship  was  most  happily  designated  by  a 
former  Brick  Church  pastor,  Dr.  van  Dyke,  as  an 
"affiliation,"  so  that  we  call  them  not  "Missions"  or 
"Branches,"  but  "Affiliated  Churches."  I  believe  that 
God  has  made  it  possible  for  us  to  prove  that  under 
such  unity  of  management,  the  church,  like  the  fire 
department,  or  any  other  agency  of  human  betterment, 
may  show  the  greatest  efficiency  and  success  in  the 
heart  of  a  great  city.  I  believe  that  through  these 
forty  years  God  has  been  preparing  you  of  the  Church 
of  the  Covenant  to  do  a  large  share  in  the  rendering 
of  this  immense  service  to  the  whole  City  of  New 
York.  Speaking  of  the  fire  department,  I  happen  to 
live  on  the  same  street  with  an  engine  house ;  and  any 
night  in  the  year  I  am  likely  to  be  roused  by  the  sound 
of  that  ingenious  mechanism  of  salvation  rushing  past 
my  door  toward  some  more  or  less  remote  building, 
which  has  been  threatened  by  this  remorseless  enemy. 
Before  falling  asleep  again,  a  languid  sense  of  thank- 
fulness passes  through  my  heart  that  the  city  has  or- 
ganized so  efficiently  its  army  of  defence  against  fire. 
But  what  it  all  means  was  forced  more  vividly  upon 
me  a  few  evenings  ago  when,  just  as  we  were  starting 
down  for  dinner,  there  came  a  thundering  signal  at 
our  door;  and  as  we  threw  it  open  we  found  the  en- 
gines halting  before  our  house;  and  the  dense  clouds 
of  smoke  pouring  from  the  windows  next  door;  and 
if  the  fire  department  had  not  been  organized  for  the 
promptest  service  at  any  point  of  need  our  own  house 
might  have  been  in  ashes.  That  is  the  kind  of  prompt 
service  against  the  spiritual  enemy  that  our  three 
Churches  must  be  rendering  in  this  part  of  New  York. 
And  that  brings  to  my  mind  one  other  thought  of 
God's  providential  guidance.  A  man  who  has  been 
married  happily  is  apt  to  let  his  mind  run  over  the 

28 


past  sometimes  and  think  of  the  strange  ways  by 
which  God  has  brought  together  himself  and  that  one 
woman  of  all  the  world  who  was  made  for  him.  To 
me  this  reflection  may  be  peculiarly  interesting  since 
I  myself  was  born  in  Boston,  and  my  wife  in  Shanghai. 
So  I  have  often  thought  of  the  different  men  now 
serving  as  ministers  of  these  three  churches ;  and  from 
my  point  of  view  I  cannot  refrain  from  thanking  God 
for  those  ways  of  His  Providence  by  which  He  brought 
together  just  these  men  who  now  find  such  joy  in 
doing  our  work  side  by  side,  and  hand  in  hand.  So 
long  as  He  may  spare  us  to  work  on  here  together, 
I  believe  that  our  close  association  with  each  other 
will  add  immensely  not  only  to  the  pleasure  but  also 
to  the  efficiency  of  our  work.  At  least  that  is  the  way 
it  looks  from  my  point  of  view. 

And  as  to  these  three  churches,  I  do  firmly  believe 
that  the  value  of  the  service  either  of  us  can  hope 
to  render  will  grow  very  largely  out  of  the  bond  that 
binds  us  all  together.  God  lays  upon  us  the  responsi- 
bility of  showing  how  successful  a  fight  can  be  waged 
against  all  the  powers  of  unrighteousness  even  in  a 
great  city,  when  His  people  are  thus  bound  together 
into  one  army  of  Jesus  Christ. 


29 


jf  ortp  gears  of  Covenant  jWerctes! 

Address  by  J.  Cleveland  Cady,  LL.D. 
Sunday  Morning,  January  28,  1906. 


m 


OMETHING  less  than  fifty  years  ago,  many 
families  in  New  York  were  gladdened  by  the 
return  of  a  beloved  clergyman — a  former 
pastor — from  a  temporary  sojourn  in  Eur- 
ope, where  he  had  gone  for  his  health  some  two 
years  before. 

The  feeling  manifested  was  quite  remarkable — it 
was  as  though  some  good  fortune  had  come  to  pass — 
and  confident  hopes  were  expressed  that  he  would 
resume  his  ministry  in  some  field  "up  town." 

There  was  good  reason  for  all  of  these  manifesta- 
tions of  interest — for  the  Rev.  Dr.  George  Lewis 
Prentiss,  whose  return  was  greeted  with  such  satisfac- 
tion, was  remarkable,  both  in  intellect  and  character. 
\yhen  a  young  man,  barely  past  his  majority,  he 
visited  England  and  Germany,  and  with  suitable  let- 
ters of  introduction,  not  only  met  the  literary  men  of 
the  time — such  men  as  Newman,  Coleridge,  Faber, 
Carlyle,  Wordsworth,  Baron  Bunsen,  Prof.  Tholuck, 
and  others — but  formed  an  acquaintance  with  many  of 
them  that  was  long  and  cordially  maintained.  He 
must  have  been  a  very  remarkable  young  man  to  have 
interested  and  held  the  attention  of  men  of  such  emin- 
ence. The  same  qualities  made  a  deep  impression  on 
the  best  minds  and  hearts  in  New  York  during  his 
seven  years  of  Pastorate  of  the  Mercer  Street  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  his  return  to  the  city  was  looked 
upon  as  a  great  addition  to  its  spiritual  forces  and  in- 
fluence. 

I  hardly  need  tell  you  that  this  welcome  return  led 
to  the  founding  of  the  Church  of  the  Covenant,  and 

30 


J.  CLEVELAND  CAUY,  LL.U. 


later  the  erection  of  its  buildings  on  the  beautiful  Park 
Avenue  site — and  to  his  installation  as  its  first  pastor. 
The  people  who  gathered  to  his  leadership  were  those 
who  had  much  in  common  with  himself — people  of 
unusual  intellectual  qualities,  of  refinement,  and  the 
gentleness  we  associate  with  loveliest  character,  and 
with  all,  intense  devotion  to  the  right,  as  well  as  to 
Christian  service.  The  influence  and  ministration  of 
such  a  pastor,  and  the  environment  of  such  a  people 
had  great  effect  upon  the  young  growing  up  in  the 
church.  They  caught  the  spiritual  tone;  they  met 
together  for  prayer,  and  encouraged  each  other  in  the 
Christian  life.  On  one  Sabbath  afternoon  in  each 
month,  the  young  men  of  the  church,  some  thirty  in 
number,  gathered  in  a  prayer  meeting  of  delightful 
character.  It  was  generally  participated  in,  unconven- 
tional, earnest  and  affectionate,  and  an  admirable 
preparation  for  future  service,  as  the  devoted  Christian 
lives  of  many  of  them  afterward  proved. 

Such  gatherings  for  prayer  and  experience  among 
the  young  are  invaluable.  They  are  a  commitment 
to  the  service  of  Christ;  they  encourage  and  develop 
Christian  life,  and  are  nurseries  for  training  and 
bringing  forward  those  who  are  to  uphold  the  stan- 
dards, when  the  present  generation  has  passed.  More- 
over, the  freshness  and  enthusiasm  of  such  young 
Christians  is  a  contagious  and  remarkable  force, 
capable  of  much  that  seems  quite  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  "Fathers  and  Elders." 

At  length  this  strong  religious  interest  among  the 
young  people  led  to  a  general  desire  for  a  field  of 
labor,  especially  their  own,  and  they  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  seek  for  some  hall,  or  place  where  they  could 
start  a  Mission  Sunday  School.  After  much  search, 
the  room  of  an  industrial  school  in  East  40th  Street 
was  hired  for  Sabbath  uses,  and  it  was  here  that  there 

31 


seemed  to  be  an  inversion  of  the  Scriptural  words, 
"The  harvest  truly  i^  plenteous,  but  the  laborers  are 
few."  On  the  first  Sabbath,  January  28,  1866,  there 
were  twelve  enthusiastic  "laborers,"  but  only  one  pupil 
to  suggest  the  harvest. 

After  a  little  time  the  "laborers"  were  settled  in 
their  quarters.  Their  devoted  personal  efforts  made 
the  place  look  a  little  more  tidy  and  home  like.  Sup- 
pose we  take  a  glimpse  at  it  as  it  appeared  in  those 
days.  We  pass  up  a  rickety  flight  of  stairs,  and  along 
a  dark  narrow  hall  until  we  come  to  a  large  low 
room,  seated  with  settees.  This  is  the  home  of  the 
Covenant  Mission. 

The  wide  boards  of  the  bare  floor  spring  under  our 
feet,  owing  to  a  too  economic  construction,  but  they 
are  scrupulously  neat,  for  the  young  "laborers,"  how- 
ever limited  their  means,  will  not  have  filth  for  an 
environment.  The  plastered  ceiling  is  badly  cracked, 
and  rough  with  many  a  rude  patching.  A  piano,  a 
little  lectern  for  the  Superintendent,  a  blackboard,  and 
a  "banner  case,"  constituted  the  furniture.  This  ban- 
ner case,  of  stained  pine,  with  its  banners,  was  of 
home  manufacture,  and  a  marvel  of  ingenuity  and 
boring,  its  chief  decoration  being  a  perforated  strip, 
formed  by  the  judicious  use  of  the  auger.  On  the 
walls  are  some  large,  brightly  colored  Scriptural 
Scenes,  also  of  home  manufacture.  These  alleged 
"water  colors"  have  been  produced  monthly — for  the 
education  and  edification  of  the  children.  Near  by  is 
the  infant  class  room,  about  fifteen  by  twenty-five  feet 
(seated  with  little  seats),  which  three  of  the  male 
leaders  have  made  a  marvelous  sensation,  by  painting 
in  red,  white  and  blue.  They  spent  several  nights  in 
accomplishing  the  result,  and  perhaps  never  completed 
a  more  patriotic  work.  The  bane  of  the  whole  place, 
however,   is  that   it   is  over   a   stable,  the  fumes   of 

32 


which,  at  times  are  disquieting,  to  say  the  least.  Said 
a  teacher  of  that  period,  "The  rythmn  of  the  singing 
was  punctuated  by  the  hoof-beats  of  the  horses." 

It  was  not  the  first  time,  however,  that  there  was 
a  noble  birth  in  humble  surroundings,  in  the  close 
proximity  to  stalls  and  cattle. 

In  this  case,  the  inferior  shelter  was  in  great  con- 
trast to  the  superior  teachers  who  gathered  there. 
Many  of  them  in  after  years  became  leaders  in  work 
of  importance  elsewhere.  Leander  Lovell  as  Super- 
intendent of  the  Sunday  School  of  the  Crescent 
Avenue  Presbyterian  Church  in  Plainfield,  N.  J.,  with 
a  son  on  the  Foreign  Mission  field;  Farnsworth.  and 
Coit  in  effective  service,  the  one  in  Minneapolis,  and 
the  other  at  Grand  Rapids ;  Miss  Grace  Rankin  Ward, 
spending  a  life-time  as  a  missionary  in  India;  Miss 
Adelaide  Beers,  afterwards  Mrs.  House,  doing  a  sim- 
ilar life-long  service  in  Turkey,  in  co-operation  with 
her  husband,  who  had  been,  for  a  short  time,  a  pas- 
tor at  the  Covenant.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Prentiss,  famous 
by  her  writings,  had  a  large  adult  class,  which  she 
held  with  such  interest  that  they  never  considered  the 
drawback  of  meeting  at  9:15  on  Sabbath  mornings. 
In  passing,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  this  class  was 
organized  partly  for  strategic  reasons.  It  would  evi- 
dently be  embarrassing  for  young  people  to  say  they 
were  too  old  to  come  to  Sunday  School,  when  a  large 
class  of  the  fathers  and  mothers  were  in  plain  view. 
Time  will  not  permit  the  pleasant  task  of  mentioning 
in  detail  the  fine  self-sacrificing  work  of  such  teachers 
as  Sheffield,  Curtis,  Will  Smith,  Miles,  Crosby, 
Greves,  Schaff,  Yewell,  Hooker,  Backus,  Woolsey, 
Eastman;  the  Misses  Low,  Smith,  Prentiss,  Grant, 
Miles,  Denny,  Backus,  Hooker,  Averill,  Mrs.  Cady, 
and  others  of  that  day ;  they  and  their  work  will  never 
be  forgotten.     To  three  who  have  remained   in  the 

33 


"Covenant"  from  that  early  time,  I  must  allude  a 
little  more  particularly,  on  account  of  the  great  value 
of  their  services.  The  brothers,  Charles  and  Alfred 
Kimball,  in  devoted  and  unselfish  service,  have  been 
sources  of  strength  all  the  way — the  one  a  spiritual 
and  practical  force,  whose  fine  abilities  were  all,  and 
always,  at  hand,  wherever  needed ;  the  other  a  master 
of  finance  (in  fullest  sympathy  with  the  work),  who 
carried  his  charge  safely  through  times  of  stress  and 
danger,  who  was  never  discouraged;  and  had  the  fac- 
ulty of  imparting  his  healthy  optimism  to  others.  An- 
other name  should  be  mentioned,  that  of  Charles  S. 
McKay,  who  was  converted  in  the  school  not  long 
after  it  commenced,  and  has  served  it  year  after  year 
in  general  service,  and  as  Secretary,  with  rare  and 
unvarying  loyalty  born  of  deepest  affection. 

Mention  has  been  made  of  prayerfulness  as  a  char- 
acteristic of  the  young  people  from  whose  life  the 
Covenant  Mission  sprang.  It  never  ceased,  however, 
to  be  a  marked  feature  of  this  work.  In  its  early 
days,  when  the  teachers  were  not  widely  separated,  as 
Sabbath  evening  came  on,  they  would  informally,  by 
twos  and  threes,  drop  into  the  house  of  the  Superin- 
tendent, and  after  discussing  their  several  experiences, 
engage  in  prayer,  so  naturally  and  informally,  that 
prayer  seemed  very  real,  and  heaven  very  near.  A 
week  evening  prayer  meeting  was  conducted  at  the 
Mission,  and  when  it  was  well  established,  three 
"neighborhood  meetings"  were  commenced  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  field  where  humble  homes  were 
open  to  them.  Three  teachers  were  assigned  to  each 
gathering,  and  they  proved  to  be  highly  interesting 
and  successful.  The  intimacy  that  obtained  in  them, 
so  much  greater  than  in  a  more  formal  service,  seemed 
to  prepare  the  hearts  of  those  present,  to  receive  the 
Holy  Spirit.     There  were  many  conversions,  as  well 

34 


as  a  deepening  of  the  religious  life  of  those  in  charge. 
Of  the  converts,  many  remained  in  the  work,  devoted 
and  valued  helpers;  some  died  in  the  blessed  "assur- 
ance of  Hope" — and  some,  in  time,  moved  from  New 
York  to  other  localities. 

A  family,  whom  we  will  call  Nesworth,  sent  three 
lovely  little  girls  to  the  Sabbath  School.  An  acquaint- 
ance with  them  revealed  the  fact  that  they  were  Amer- 
icans; the  mother  a  woman  of  unusual  refinement, 
and  the  father  a  ("front  brick  layer")  man  of  good 
intelligence  and  integrity. 

There  was,  however,  one  heavy  shadow  upon  this 
attractive  family,  the  father  had  begun  to  be  the  vic- 
tim of  strong  drink,  owing  to  the  influence  and  pres- 
sure of  his  companions  in  work.  It  had  not  yet  gone 
far  enough  to  injure  his  capacity  for  service,  or  to  be 
realized  by  those  who  met  him  casually,  but  his  wife 
and  daughters  grieved  over  it,  and  felt  that  it  meant 
ruin  for  him  and  their  family  life.  Then  the  leaders 
at  the  Covenant  became  bent  on  his  entire  reclama- 
tion. They  urged  him  to  submit  his  life  to  Christ, 
and  insisted  that  the  first  step  should  be  the  abandon- 
ment of  drink.  At  length  both  steps  were  taken,  and 
the  friends  that  had  urged  them,  stood  by  him  in  the 
dreadful  struggle,  which  followed  for  nearly  a  year. 
When  tormented  by  a  burning  appetite,  or  tempted  by 
drinking  companions,  he  surely  would  have  fallen,  had 
it  not  been  for  the  frequent  companionship,  the  com- 
fort, and  courage  that  these  brethren  in  Christ  gave 
him.  In  time  he  was  thoroughly  established  in  his 
new  life  and  habits;  everything  connected  with  him 
gave  evidence  of  improvement,  and  more  and  more  he 
was  becoming  a  useful  member  of  the  church  which 
had  been  so  much  to  him.  One  day  the  startling  news 
came  that  this  beloved  and  valued  family  was  to  re- 
move to  the  vicinity  of  Chicago!     That  his  wife's 

35 


father,  who  had  a  large  business  as  market  gardener 
and  florist,  reahzing  that  he  was  growing  old,  and 
having  now  a  strong  confidence  in  this  son-in-law,  had 
invited  him  to  come  on  and  take  charge  of  his  busi- 
ness! It  was  clear  that  it  meant  a  great  deal  to  the 
Nesworths,  but  the  rejoicing  was  tempered  by  the 
sense  of  the  loss  to  the  Covenant!  The  family,  how- 
ever, went  to  their  new  home,  improved  its  oppor- 
tunities, and  rose  in  position  and  influence.  One  of 
their  first  efforts  was  to  start  a  Church  and  Sunday 
School  in  their  neighborhood,  which  they  made  as 
close  a  copy  as  possible  of  the  one  they  had  left  in  New 
York.  When  last  heard  from,  Mr.  N.  was  an  active 
supporter,  and  Elder  in  the  new  church,  which  was 
rapidly  becoming  an  influence  of  importance  in  a 
growing  community.  Then  the  serious  question  arose 
in  the  minds  of  those  who  had  so  regretted  his  de- 
parture, whether,  after  all,  it  was  not  often  best  that 
converts  now — as  in  apostolic  times — should  be  "scat- 
tered abroad"  going  "everywhere  preaching  the 
word." 

In  time  the  Church  of  the  Covenant,  on  Park  Ave- 
nue, became  fully  alive  to  the  importance  and  needs 
of  its  work  on  the  East  Side.  As  may  be  supposed. 
Dr.  Prentiss  had  been  most  active  in  his  quiet  but  ef- 
fective way,  in  arousing  his  church  to  their  duty.  At 
length  land  was  secured  and  the  present  building 
erected  and  dedicated  December  24,  1871. 

It  was  an  earnest  effort  to  make  the  House  of  God 
the  brightest,  cheeriest,  and  most  attractive  place  its 
worshipers  could  find  in  all  the  week,  and  to  great 
numbers  as  the  years  passed,  it  became  a  "home" 
never  to  be  forgotten.  In  this  new  "Covenant  Chapel" 
building  one  would  have  seen  a  very  considerable 
change  in  the  faces  of  "laborers"  and  scholars,  many 
of  whom  had  gone  elsewhere  to  live,  and  their  places 

36 


were  filled  by  others.  Fortunately  the  high  quality  was 
fully  maintained  by  such  able  and  devoted  men  as 
Samuel  J.  Storrs,  Theron  G.  Strong,  Alfred  E.  Mar- 
ling, Payson  Merrill,  Richard  C.  Morse,  Lucius  H. 
Beers,  Joseph  R.  Skidmore,  George  F.  Bentley,  Noah 
C.  Rogers,  Benjamin  Comstock,  Norman  Dodge, 
Douglass  Moore,  William  \V.  Ellsworth,  and  a  quin- 
tette of  beloved  physicians — Alfred  Post,  Lucius  Bulk- 
ley,  Daniel  Wiesner,  Andrew  Currier,  and  George 
Woolsey.  More  than  this,  there  were  "noble  women  not 
a  few."  Notable  for  long  and  fine  service  among  the 
latter  have  been :  Miss  Anna  M.  Juppe,  church  visitor 
and  head  of  the  infant  school;  Miss  Mary  W.  Kim- 
ball, of  the  Intermediate  Department ;  Miss  Mary  Pren- 
tiss and  Miss  H.  L.  Keeler,  in  the  main  school. 

For  nearly  thirty  years  a  teachers'  meeting  was 
maintained,  which  had  the  effect  of  concentrating  the 
work  of  teachers  and  officers,  and  by  prayer  and  fel- 
lowship, greatly  inspiring  it. 

The  fact  that  this  work  was  begun  and  continued 
in  prayer,  has  doubtless  been  a  reason  for  the  har- 
mony and  unity  that  has  existed,  without  exception, 
through  the  forty  years.  The  fact,  also  that  the  em- 
phasis was  placed  decidedly  on  the  religious  side  of  the 
work,  had  a  strong  influence  to  this  end.  Said  our 
Treasurer  on  one  occasion,  "You  will  notice  that  it  is 
when  the  stress  is  on  the  secular  side  of  work,  and 
the  doings  connected  with  purely  social  matters  and 
efforts  are  absorbing,  that  people  fall  out,  not  when  it 
is  upon  those  that  concern  vital  religion."  While  sec- 
ular, social  and  entertaining  features  must  have 
their  place,  the  important  thing  is  that  they  be  sub- 
ordinated to  the  religious  interest,  and  dominated  by 
it.  The  harmony  of  teachers  and  officers  has  naturally 
been  reflected  in  the  spirit  of  the  school;  and  their 
reverent    attitude   toward    sacred    things,    times,    and 

37 


places,  has  (unconsciously  to  the  scholars)  led  them 
to  respectful  order  and  quiet.  Probably  no  more 
humor-loving  and  witf  ul  young  people  were  ever  gath- 
ered than  those  who  founded  the  Covenant  Sunday 
School,  unless  we  except  those  who  have  continued  in 
it,  but  seriousness  of  purpose  has  always  restrained 
levity  and  trifling  in  connection  with  the  exercises 
of  the  school.  This  reverent  attitude  has  strongly 
conduced  to  good  order  and  quiet,  so  that  different 
conduct  would  have  seemed  strangely  out  of  place. 
Occasionally  scholars  have  come  to  us  from  schools 
where  disorder  was  common,  and  in  some  cases  where 
they  were  leaders  in  it,  but  the  atmosphere  of  the 
Covenant  has  speedily  toned  this  down,  it  was  one  in 
which  such  growths  were  stifled. 

While  the  grading  of  classes  prevailed,  in  some 
cases  teachers  have  carried  the  children  along  to  ma- 
turity and  to  great  advantage.  Our  Assistant  Super- 
intendent has  thus  brought  up  three  successive  classes 
from  childhood  to  young  manhood,  forming  character 
and  life-long  friendships.  Gaining  the  affection  of 
the  scholars  has  been  one  of  the  strongest  aids  to  suc- 
cess; that  object  secured,  they  seem  completely  in  the 
teachers'  hands.  Some  years  ago  a  large  class  of  boys 
had  arrived  at  the  trying  age  just  previous  to  man- 
hood, and  were  becoming  a  puzzling  source  of  trouble. 
Just  at  that  time  one  of  our  old  teachers  came  in  town 
for  the  winter  and  volunteered  to  take  charge  of  them. 
Soon  there  was  a  surprising  change  in  their  conduct 
and  ere  long  they  became  the  model  class  of  the  school. 
Questioning  the  teacher  as  to  how  the  change  had 
been  affected  it  was  learned  that  he  had  found  an 
opportunity  to  do  some  kindness  to  nearly  every  one 
of  them.  One  was  completely  at  odds  with  his 
parents,  and  he  brought  about  a  happy  reconciliation. 
Another  was  about  losing  his  situation  through  mis- 

38 


behavior,  but  he  saved  it  for  him,  and  saved  the  boy. 
To  every  one  he  had  given  occasion  for  gratitude  and 
had  won  their  hearts  completely,  he  was  absolutely 
their  ruler,  by  love.  In  the  following  spring  all  of 
those  boys  united  with  the  church.  Boys  at  this  period 
need  special  attention,  as  the  dangers  that  beset  them 
are  great,  and  they  are  peculiarly  susceptible,  but  it 
is  worth  while.  It  is  well  worth  extraordinary  pains 
to  hunt  such  game.  We  have  a  fine  class  of  this  age 
at  the  present  time  under  the  devoted  care  of  our 
pastor's  wife.  The  hour  on  Sabbath  morning  she 
found  would  not  suffice  for  their  needs — so  as  a 
"Boys'  Loyalty  Band"  they  and  others  meet  at  her 
house  on  a  week  day  evening,  a  gathering  full  of  in- 
terest and  value.  It  means  a  sacrifice  of  time  and 
effort — but  the  gain.  The  loyal  affection  and  friend- 
ship of  such  young  hearts  who  can  now  be  moulded 
for  all  time,  who  can  value  it  ?  Surely  love  is  the  key 
to  the  heart,  in  Sunday  School  as  elsewhere. 

But  to  go  back — with  the  occupation  of  the  new 
building  the  church  organization  and  services  began 
to  grow  in  importance.  Before  that  time  the  students 
connected  with  the  Union  Seminary  had  cared  for  the 
ministerial  part  of  the  work,  and  the  pulpit  was 
served  in  turn  by  the  Revs.  B.  F.  McNeil,  George  E. 
Northrup,  George  S.  Payson,  J.  H.  House,  Edgar  A. 
Hamilton,  William  Plested,  and  William  H.  Ford. 

May  I,  187.^,  the  latter  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
Howard  A.  Talbot,  a  devoted  minister,  and  especially 
patient  and  untiring  in  work  upon  individual  cases. 
After  over  six  years  he  was  called  to  a  Western 
church.  The  Covenant  was  again  fortunate  in  a  suc- 
cessor (to  whom  Mr.  Talbot  called  attention),  the 
Rev.  H.  T.  McEwen,  who  was  ordained  and  began 
ministry  November  17,  1881.  His  service  was  so 
vigorous  and  earnest  that  the  church  was  largely  in- 

39 


creased  in  numbers  and  strength,  and  was  replete  with 
active  interest.  After  a  service  of  six  years  he  re- 
ceived an  imperative  call  to  the  important  field  of  the 
Fourteenth  Street  Presbyterian  Church.  The  parting 
was  a  most  reluctant  one  on  the  part  of  both  pastor 
and  people.  He  also  assisted  in  securing  a  successor — 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Rogers,  a  man  of  spiritual  mind  and 
most  kind  and  tender  feeling.  He  was  greatly  be- 
loved. He  was  followed  by  our  present  pastor,  whose 
sixteen  years  in  the  pastorate  have  been  sixteen  years 
of  blessing  to  his  flock:  who  have  been  shepherded, 
instructed,  encouraged,  and  uplifted,  through  dark 
days  and  bright;  in  sorrow  and  rejoicing;  in  trial  and 
victory,  and  in  a  steady  growth  of  love  to  God  and 
man,  that  has  united  it  strongly  in  affectionate  unity, 
and  has  made  it  a  "home,"  the  spirit  of  which  im- 
presses all  comers  as  a  rare  Christian  brotherhood. 
When  he  came  to  this  charge,  the  parent  church  de- 
creed that  it  should  no  longer  be  a  Mission,  but  an 
independent  church  with  its  own  boards  of  officers, 
and  its  independent  relations  to  the  Presbytery  only 
receiving  from  its  Alma  Mater,  friendship  and  aid  as 
it  needed.  When  the  latter  united  with  the  Brick 
Church,  not  only  were  these  relations  continued,  but 
the  same  step  was  taken  in  regard  to  Christ  Church 
on  the  "West  Side";  and  Dr.  Henry  Van  Dyke  in- 
vented and  applied  the  singularly  felicitous  designa- 
tion to  the  Brick  Church  and  its  two  branches  of  "The 
Affiliated  Churches."  It  is  delightful  to  realize  that 
this  affiliation  has  been  growing  stronger  and  more 
and  more  intimate  every  year,  fully  justifying  Dr. 
Richards'  recent  expression  that  "it  is  a  bond  of  Chris- 
tian fellowship  across  Manhattan  Island." 

From  this  resume  it  will  be  seen  that  the  present 
Church  of  the  Covenant,  its  Sunday  School  and  var- 
ious agencies  for  usefulness  had  their  inception  and 

40 


growth  in  the  Christian  interest  of  a  little  band  of 
young  people,  whose  aim  was  to  serve  Jesus  Christ 
and  exhalt  his  religion.  This  aim  has  never  changed 
through  the  changing  years,  and  the  varying  factors 
of  the  growing  work;  and  while  the  value  of  whole- 
some entertainment,  and  social  and  industrial  features 
have  been  recognized  and  availed  of,  they  have  always 
been  made  subordinate  to  the  important  purpose  in 
view.  The  constant  effort  being  to  develop  the  re- 
ligious features  as  fully  as  possible,  to  make  them 
interesting  and  impressive.  Scripture,  the  most  in- 
spired Hymns,  and  the  choicest  music  have  been 
availed  of  for  this  purpose.  Much  of  it  has  been 
doubtless  beyond  the  full  appreciation  of  the  children, 
but  it  was  so  excellent  that  it  would  bear  frequent 
repetition  to  advantage,  and  in  this  process,  became 
so  rooted  in  the  young  minds  as  to  be  irradicable,  and 
thus  a  treasury  of  good  things  for  the  future.  It 
seems  a  serious  mistake  in  Sunday  School  effort  to  fill 
such  minds  with  trifling  and  transient  matter  when  so 
much  that  is  of  highest  value  might  be  stored  for  all 
time.  One  day  when  one  of  our  visitors  had  ascended 
many  stairs  to  call  upon  a  family  whose  children  at- 
tended the  Sunday  School,  as  she  mounted  the  last 
flight  she  heard  a  child's  voice  sweetly  singing  a 
familiar  strain — 

"Who  trusts  in  God's  unchanging  love 
"Builds  on  a  rock  that  ne'er  can  move." 

It  was  George  Neumark's  noble  hymn,  beginning 
"If  thou  but  suffer  God  to  guide  thee,"  sung  to  the 
"Pilgrim  Chorus"  from  "Tannahauser,"  and  as  she  en- 
tered she  saw  a  little  girl  holding  her  chubby  baby 
brother  in  her  arms,  singing  him  asleep  to  the  grand 
hymn  and  music  she  had  so  often  sang  in  Sunday 
School.     It  had  indeed  become  a  household  word,  had 

41 


entered  into  the  duties  of  daily  life,  and  was  there  to 
remain ! 

Twenty-five  years  ago  a  strong  dissatisfaction  was 
felt  with  the  ordinary  Christmas  Festival,  which  was 
usually  made  up  of  addresses  and  "entertainment"  of 
some  kind.  The  addresses  were  a  bore  to  the  impa- 
tient children,  anxiously  awaiting  amusement  and 
possible  presents;  the  presents  gave  rise  to  jealousies, 
and  the  "entertainment"  did  not  seem  a  worthy  way 
of  celebrating  the  birth  of  Christ.  About  that  time 
some  account  appeared  in  the  religious  press  of  the  re- 
markable work  of  Pastor  Harms  and  Immanual 
Wichern  in  Germany,  where  the  people  (whole  com- 
munities) made  their  religious  exercises  and  services 
so  delightful  that  they  became  their  keenest  interest, 
This  suggested  the  idea  of  making  the  Christmas  Fes- 
tival such  a  function,  and  a  scheme  was  adopted 
which  has  been  followed  ever  since  with  great  satisfac- 
tion. It  involves  the  preparation  of  a  service  composed 
of  carefully  selected  Scripture,  interspersed  with  the 
finest  hymns  and  carols :  these  arranged  with  effective 
contrasts  and  working  gradually  to  a  climax.  The 
whole  is  committed  to  memory  by  the  classes  who 
have  had  the  several  portions  assigned  them.  The 
music  is  made  familiar  by  much  practice.  By  a  mutual 
understanding,  the  whole  moves  automatically;  no 
one  is  called  upon  to  do  anything;  no  directions  are 
given  or  speeches  made,  and  it  is  entirely  an  affair  of 
the  scholars.  The  eliminating  as  far  as  possible,  the 
uninspired  human  element,  gives  great  impressiveness, 
it  is  a  Divine  message  that  is  given.  This  service  is 
the  gift  of  the  pupils  to  their  parents  and  friends,  and 
not  only  that,  but  at  the  close,  they  bring  forward 
envelopes,  with  money  that  they  have  been  saving  for 
weeks,  as  a  Christmas  offering  for  some  worthy  cause. 
It  has  been  for  the  care  of  a  crippled  child  in  a  hos- 

42 


pital;  a  horse  for  a  Sunday  School  Missionary  in  the 
South;  a  model  cottage  for  Berea  College,  Kentucky, 
help  and  a  "Christmas"  for  a  poor  struggling  Sunday 
School  on  the  "East  Side." 

Thus  the  whole  service  belongs  to  the  school,  which, 
on  this  day,  like  its  Master,  is  a  giver.  Its  prepara- 
tion involves  no  small  amount  of  labor,  in  the  learning 
of  Scripture,  and  the  patient  practice  of  music  for 
weeks  previous,  but  this  effort  is  all  in  line  with  the 
great  end  in  view,  and  in  the  process,  minds  are  being 
filled  with  that  which  is  worth  retaining.  They  are 
not,  however,  to  go  without  an  "Entertainment"  full 
of  merriment  and  amusement.  When  the  last  re- 
hearsal of  music  has  taken  place,  they  are  rewarded 
by  one  which  gives  great  delight,  but  the  Birth  of 
Christ  is  to  be  celebrated  in  a  more  worthy  and  suit- 
able manner.  A  long  experience  in  these  services  has 
led  to  a  strong  sense  of  the  value  of  appropriateness  in 
musical  selections  of  any  kind ;  by  this  virtue,  a  subject 
or  sermon  may  be  greatly  intensified  in  point  or  force ; 
whereas  a  witless,  hapless  selection  may  undo  the  best 
and  most  earnest  efforts.  The  music  of  the  church 
should  never  be  an  end  unto  itself,  or  for  the  mere  ad- 
dition of  a  certain  amount  of  musical  pleasure.  It 
should  rather  be  to  illuminate  the  theme  of  the  occa- 
sion, or  to  glorify  the  worship  and  be  from  first  to 
last,  "the  handmaid  of  religion."  Again,  the  study  of 
Scripture  with  regard  to  its  effectiveness  may  be  pro- 
ductive of  most  impressive  results.  In  the  Christmas 
and  other  services,  "Christ's  humility  contrasted  with 
His  ascended  glory ;"  "His  life  absorbed  in  doing  good" 
in  contrast  with  the  scornful,  and  cruel  treatment  He 
received ;  "The  needs  of  each  heart  and  the  power  and 
will  of  Jesus  to  satisfy  them,"  are  examples.  One 
portion  of  Scripture  is  often  a  fine  response  or  climax 
to  another,  the  impressiveness  being  wonderfully  in- 
creased by  the  apposition. 

43 


The  changeable  character  of  the  population  in  our 
great  cities  has  often  been  felt  to  be  a  serious  draw- 
back to  religious  work.  No  sooner  have  excellent 
conditions  been  attained — with  great  labor — than 
there  is  a  distressing  exodus  of  those  from  whose 
important  help  much  was  expected.  It  is  a  constant 
crushing  out  of  hope  and  expectation.  Yet  experi- 
ence shows  another  and  very  different  side  to  the  mat- 
ter. In  the  Sunday  School  and  later  in  this  Church 
of  the  Covenant  a  fine  family  of  brothers  and  sisters 
had  grown  up,  with  careful  training  and  unusual  ca- 
pacity for  usefulness.  For  a  long  time  they  were 
hopefully  regarded  as  having  great  future  value  to 
the  church.  Imagine  the  disappointment  when  one 
morning  it  was  announced  that  they  were  soon  to 
move  out  of  town  to  a  home  in  the  country.  It  really 
seemed  as  though  Providence  had  made  a  serious  mis- 
take, but  when  later  one  of  the  young  men  returned 
to  the  Pastor  and  Superintendent  seeking  advice  in 
regard  to  the  starting  of  a  "Christian  Endeavor  So- 
ciety," and  a  Sunday  School  (for  there  was  nothing 
of  the  kind  in  their  region),  the  doubts  about  the  wis- 
dom of  their  removal  were  less  positive,  and  as  now 
and  then  we  heard  of  the  good  work  they  accomplished 
the  wisdom  of  Providence  was  clearly  manifest.  From 
time  to  time  old  teachers  and  scholars,  who  have  moved 
away,  have  written  for  information  as  to  the  best 
means  of  reproducing  features  that  they  had  loved 
in  their  old  Church  or  Sunday  School,  until  it  has 
been  clear  that  if  so  many  were  to  pass  under  this  in- 
fluence, and  afterward  to  other  localities,  it  was  a  great 
opportunity,  while  they  were  with  us,  for  a  seed-sow- 
ing that  should  mean  a  far  wider  harvesting ;  and  that 
a  work  that  was  in  many  cases  to  be  regarded  as  a 
model,  and  carefully  copied,  should  be  conducted  upon 
the  highest  lines  possible,  that  it  might  be  an  inspira- 

44 


tion  and  guide  to  those  who,  for  a  time,  came  under 
its  influence.  It  certainly  is  a  splendid  incentive  to  the 
highest  and  best  effort.  One  young  fellow  upon  whom 
his  teacher  spent  much  pains  for  three  or  four  years 
is  to-day  the  head  of  a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  in  the  suburbs  of 
Philadelphia.  Two  have  gone  to  the  far  West,  and 
in  new  communities  are  repeating  the  work  of  the 
Covenant.  A  young  woman,  for  a  time  in  the  Bible 
Class,  and  at  length  in  the  fellowship  of  the  Church, 
had  been  led  by  some  strange  Providence  to  a  family 
and  community  without  religious  life  or  interest.  She 
had  been  quietly  faithful;  at  length  calamity  visited 
the  place,  and  she  found  her  opportunity  by  kindness 
and  love  to  bring  Christ  to  the  hearts  of  those  about 
her.  These  are  only  a  few  examples  from  the  history 
of  those  who  have  been  "scattered."  There  is  cer- 
tainly great  encouragement  in  work  among  changing 
populations.  The  field  of  influence  is  infinitely  wid- 
ened and  the  prospects  of  the  harvest  multiplied  a 
hundred  fold. 

To-day  as  we  commemorate  the  fortieth  anniversary 
of  this  work  the  memories,  yes,  the  very  faces  of 
those  who  have  been  connected  with  it,  whether  as 
teachers  or  scholars,  seem  to  rise  distinctly  before  us! 
How  we  delight  to  linger  in  the  gallery  of  memory, 
recalling  the  past  hallowed  by  so  many  tender  affec- 
tions, and  above  all  the  Presence  of  the  Divine  Spirit 
in  our  midst,  working  in  us  and  for  us.  How  much 
it  all  means,  we  can  only  dimly  see,  it  is  for  the  future 
to  reveal  it,  but  we  count  it  a  most  blessed  thing  to 
have  had  a  part  in  such  a  service  and  such  a  field.  And 
so  we  thank  God  for  giving  us  a  share  in  it,  esteeming 
it  as  one  of  the  greatest  of  the  blessings  with  which 
He  has  blessed  our  lives. 


45 


Church  of  the  Covenant,  35th  Street  and  Park  Avenue. 

Nov.  25,  1860.  First  Service  in  Home  of  the  Friendless. 

Mar.  21,  1862.  Church  organized  with  83  members. 

April  4,  1862.  Name  "  Church  of  the  Covenant  "  adopted. 

May  11,  1862.  Rev.  George  L.  Prentiss,  D.D.  installed  pastor. 

Nov.  5,  1863.  Church  Corner  Stone  laid. 

May  22,  1864.  First  Service  in  Church  Chapel. 

April  30,  1865.  Church  dedicated. 

May,  1869.  Last  New  School  Presbjrterian  General  Assembly. 

Feb.  12,  1873.  Rev.  George  L.  Prentiss,  D.D.  resigned. 

May  8,  1873.  Rev.  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  D.D.  installed  pastor. 

Nov.,  1887.  Rev.  Marvin  R.  Vincent,  D.D.  resigned. 

Dec.  17,  1888.  Rev.  J.  Hall  Mcllvaine,  D.D.  installed  pastor. 

Feb.  26,  1890.  Rev.  George  S.  Webster  called  to  be  associate 

pastor. 

Feb.  11,  1894.  Last  service  held  in  the  Church. 

Feb.  14,  1894.  Last  Prayer  Meeting  held  in  the  Chapel. 

April  12,  1894.  Consolidated  with  the  Brick  Presbyterian  Church. 

Covenant  Memorial  Chapel,  306-310  East  42d  Street. 

Jan.  28,  1866.  Sunday  School  organized,  at  206  East  40th  Street. 

April  11,  1867.  First  Church  members  received. 

Dec.  24,  1871.  Chapel  building  dedicated. 

May  4,  1875.  Rev.  Howard  A.  Talbot  ordained  and   began 

ministry. 

Nov.  14,  1875.  First  Communion  Service  held. 

Oct.,  1881.  Rev.  Howard  A.  Talbot  resigned. 

Nov.  17,  1881.  Rev.  Henry  T.  McEwen  ordained  and  began 

ministry. 

Mar.  1,  1882.  Miss  Anna  M.  Juppe  began  work  as  visitor. 

July,  1887.  Rev.  Henry  T.  McEwen  resigned. 

Nov.,  1887.  Rev.  Edwin  E.  Rogers  began  ministry. 

Oct.,  1889.  Rev.  Edwin  E.  Rogers  resigned. 

Mar.  19,  1890.  Rev.  George  S.  Webster  installed  pastor. 

Nov.  8,  1891.  Quarter  Century  Anniversary. 


Church  of  the  Covenant,  306-310  East  42d  Street. 

Nov.  30,  1893.      Church  organized  with  266  members. 

Jan.  2,  1894.         Rev.  George  S.  Webster  installed  pastor. 

Dec.  16,  1894.  "Faith"  Tablet  and  Corner  Stone  of  old  Church 
received. 

Jan.  1,  1897.  Quarter  Century  Anniversary  of  Church  dedi- 
cation. 

Jan.  27,  1901.      Thirty-fifth  Anniversary. 

Jan.  28,  1906.       Fortieth  Anniversary. 


^Illljlllfm iM!?,?iSf,l .Seminary  Librar 


1    1012  01217  5859 


DATE  DUE 

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PRINTED  IN  USA 

